| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC November 7, 2007 Request for Applications for Grants to Deal with Landmines, Explosive Remnants of War, and At-Risk Small Arms, Light Weapons, and Munitions StockpilesThe Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs issued a fifth "Request for Applications" for Federal grants for projects reducing the humanitarian impact of all conventional weapons, including landmines, explosive remnants of war around the world, small arms and light weapons, and stockpiled munitions that are excess to a nation’s defense needs or that pose a danger to populations living in close proximity. Grant applications will be accepted from non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and international organizations. Approximately $3 to $3.5 million dollars may be allocated for this initiative, depending on available funds and the quality of the grant proposals. Six project categories are being considered:
1) Weapons Destruction Projects: to reduce the threat from military small arms/light weapons and surplus ammunition and unstable ordnance in regions or countries where it is currently feasible to engage in such activities. Proposals to help host governments identify and collect weapons, and improve their inventory control and record keeping will also be considered. 2) Private Sector Engagement - Increasing Awareness and Financial Support: proposals in the $40,000 - $50,000 range creating new funding sources or engaging new sectors, organizations or communities to generate financial and/or in-kind resources for mine clearance, survivors’ assistance or small arms/light weapons abatement. Proposals should not be submitted simply to cover core or operating costs or to underwrite feasibility studies. Priority will be given to projects reaching a wide domestic and international audience and/or having a broad and measurable impact. 3) Matching Grants for Specific Countries: Grants in the $40,000 - $100,000 range to match an equal or greater amount of funds raised from non-U.S. Government sources and devoted to mine clearance and conventional weapons destruction projects in Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Colombia, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Laos, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Vietnam, and Yemen. 4) Retrain/Reintegration of Humanitarian Mine Action Personnel: More countries are achieving their mine clearance objectives and finding it difficult and expensive to retain large numbers of landmine and UXO clearance personnel. These personnel, many of whom have been working diligently for years, must find new jobs. Proposals are requested that identify projects or approaches that train deminers with new skills. 5) Innovative Applications Furthering the Goals and Objectives of the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement: Original but realistic proposals that will make a difference in mine action and conventional weapons destruction. Visit www.state.gov/t/pm/wra to learn about the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement’s mission. 6) “Fusing Data” - Impact Survey, Impact Surveillance, Land Release, and National Planning: Proposals for programs, studies, and pilot projects aimed at developing sound methodologies and practical standards for integrating impact survey data, surveillance data, and land release methodologies into the ongoing strategic planning processes in mine-affected countries. The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement reserves the right to make no awards. Applications must be submitted via www.Grants.gov where information on the application review, grant award process, obtaining a DUNS number, registry in the Central Contractor Registration database, how to develop and submit a grant application, and mandatory application forms can be found. This particular Request for Applications is listed as “Humanitarian Demining & Weapons Removal” under Funding Opportunity Number PMWRA-08-GR-001-WHA-110507. The deadline for submissions is December 14, 2007. 2007/973 |
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